Robert TheodorsonThe two men who took the 2026 Masters into a playoff round will face off once more as TGL returns with the second match of the season featuring league co-founder Rory McIlroy and FedEx Championship winner Justin Rose.
TGL’s season opener saw Billy Horschel sink yet another improbable putt to give his Atlanta Drive the 6 – 4 victory over Xander Schauffele’s New York Golf Club. Atlanta’s title defense started much in the same manner that their championship season ended last year with late-game heroics executed by a team of destiny.
Last season, McIlroy’s Boston squad went winless during TGL’s inaugural season while Los Angeles won 4 out of 5 during the regular season, including a 6 – 2 victory over Boston. Keegan Bradley scored Boston’s only points in Singles play as teammates McIlroy and Adam Scott faltered.
Team Lineups and Featured Holes
Boston Common
- Rory McIlroy
- Keegan Bradley
- Michael Thorbjornsen
Los Angeles
- Justin Rose
- Colin Morikawa
- Sahith Theegala
Michael Thorbjornsen makes his TGL debut filling in for the unavailable Hideki Matsuyama/Adam Scott.
While the absence of Matsuyama/Scott is lamentable, Atlanta seemed to have no problem in their recent win featuring two substitute players – Chris Gotterup and Corey Connors.
McIlroy’s Ryder Cup partner Justin Rose will be the headliner for Los Angeles who will be without the services of Tommy Fleetwood.
Long Drive Contest on Alpine
- Alpine; Par 4; 535 Yards; Hole 1
According to TGL, “The four longest drives in TGL history have been hit on Alpine with Wyndham Clark’s (360.3 yards) drive in Match 1 of Season 1 standing as the longest. Ludvig Åberg and Cameron Young (twice) hit 359-yard drives on the hole as well.”
The fan-favorite Alpine hole will be a contest of strength and determination. Rory McIlroy, who maintained the best driving distance (325.6 yards) and drive ball speed (187.4 mph)* gets the nod for Boston. His opponent is likely Sahith Theegala who was approximately ten yards better on average drives than teammate Justin Rose last season.
* McIlroy was the best among golfers participating in this LA-BOS matchup.
New Team-Specific Unique Holes
- Storrowed (Boston Common); Par 5; 614 Yards; Hole 4
- Showtime (Los Angeles); Par 5; 609 Yards; Hole 9
Both Boston and Los Angeles will be assigned previously viewed courses appearing under new banners. The goal is to transport players and fans to Boston and Los Angeles and give both an authentic feel of the cities.
Accuracy is key on Storrowed, Boston’s signature hole that features an island green that also contains bunkers flanking the left and right sides ensuring that tee shots must have pinpoint accuracy. Golfers will need to play it safe on the left side near the Charles River in order to have any chance at putting one on the green and setting themselves up to score.
Showtime takes in viewers with the aesthetic backdrop of the Hollywood Hills and changes the world-famous ‘HOLLYWOOD’ backdrop with ‘LOS ANGELES’. Running parallel to the Pacific Coast and lined with Palm Trees, Showtime encapsulates that feeling of playing golf in Southern California.
Projected Top Performers
Los Angeles
Justin Rose finished S1 T4 in total points scored and is not far removed from an incredible PGA Tour win during the Tour’s playoffs. Without the services of Tommy Fleetwood, all eyes will be on Rose to guide his team to another great start and give LA a 1 – 0 advantage.
It wasn’t a pretty 2025 for Sahith Theegala who spent the majority of the season battling through injury, showing up to tournaments as a shadow of his 2023/2024 form. The decision to start Theegala in Game 1 is a curious one, but if Pepperdine University standout feels that his body is ready, we should be getting a great look at what Theegala is capable of in 2026.
Boston Common
U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley scored the only two points for Boston in last year’s match against LA and will be looked upon as the team’s anchor as they go for their first-ever TGL win.
Suggested Image/Video: McIlroy TGL
Season 2 is a sort of coming-out party for World Number 2 golfer Rory McIlroy. Ranking T12 in total points scored last season, Boston’s season opener provides the perfect opportunity for McIlroy to prove that he is the best in the world not only out on the course, but under the bright lights of the SoFi Center as well.
Expect McIlroy and Bradley to give top-notch performances in what could be a turnaround season for Boston.
Final Predictions
Although the Season 1 stats heavily favor a Los Angeles victory, Boston is long overdue for a win. In fact, they’re a year overdue for that win and Rory McIlroy will be taking home his first victory of 2026 just two days into the New Year.
Los Angeles is one of the most formidable teams in TGL and there’s no one hotter in golf right now than Tommy Fleetwood. Fortunately for Boston, the frog squad will not have to face Fairway Jesus and should be able to come away with the win in what promises to be a very close match.
